Variable tensioned prosthetic device including continuously elasticized fabric

ABSTRACT

A prosthetic device includes first and second regions divided by a longitudinal line extending between the first and second ends of the device. The device has a continuously knit elasticized fabric layer including a first set of yarns located about a circumference of the device through the first and second regions. The fabric layer has different knit structures in the first and second regions to obtain different elasticity while sharing the first set of yarns so that the first region has a first elasticity, and the second region has a second elasticity greater than the elasticity of the first region. An elastomeric layer secures an interior surface of the fabric layer.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to a variably tensioned tubular and seamlessprosthetic device, such as in sleeves or liners, formed from acontinuously elasticized fabric layer having regions of differentelasticity.

BACKGROUND

Common prosthetic suspension liners and sleeves are configured anddimensioned to accommodate a wide range of anatomies and movement, butmay fall short at conforming to the limb of certain users with lessconventional shapes and during certain joint movement. With knee jointmovement, material may bunch or gather behind or posterior the kneeresulting in folds in the fabric or materials of the liner or sleeve.The folds may cause discomfort as the user flexes the knee and irritateskin. The anterior side should be stretchable to permit joint movementto account for the change in the knee shape. From these observations,the anterior and posterior sides require different areas of elasticstiffness (different elasticity) to provide a comfortable liner orsleeve.

Efforts have been taken in the past to account for the differentstiffness or elasticity desired from a single sleeve, such as in U.S.Pat. No. 6,592,539, granted on Jul. 15, 2003. The sleeve includesproviding elasticized fabric sections having different elasticstiffness. While this sleeve successfully accommodates the anatomy andmovement of various anatomies, it is labor-intensive and expensive toprovide the different elastic stiffness due to the need to stitch theelasticized sections to one another.

A suspension liner described in U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2011/0098827,published on Apr. 28, 2011, includes securing various fabric layers overone another at designated areas. This liner requires stitching fabriclayers over one another, and providing seams along the liner whichcomplicates the process for fabricating the liner. The additional layersalso increase the overall thickness of the liner, adding weight andreducing the ability for the user to freely flex the joint covered bythe liner or sleeve.

SUMMARY

The disclosure describes various embodiments of a prosthetic device,such as a suspension liner or sleeve, providing construction and designallowing for ease and low cost of comfortably accommodating a full rangeof anatomies and motion. The embodiments described include variabletensioned devices formed from a continuously elasticized fabric layerhaving regions of different elasticity for orthopedic and prostheticapplications. The solution provided by the disclosure eliminates theneed for multiple fabric sections, seams or overlaid layers, and yieldsa flexible and thinner fabric used in a variety of applications.

The embodiments include a device and textile or fabric layer dividedinto at least two portions, preferably a back or posterior portion and afront or anterior portion, each having different axial elongation.Various knitting structures may obtain or adjust axial elongation in aportion of a textile or fabric layer in a continuous tubular textile.The textile or fabric layer can be employed in a variety of devices, toaccommodate anatomies and motion. The device is not limited to onlyfirst and second regions, but rather may include a variety of regionsarranged according to anatomical regions, function and need.

The fabric layer preferably continuously extends longitudinally andcircumferentially about the liner or sleeve between first and secondends. The fabric layer may include first and second regions that stretchdifferently or have different elastic stiffness relative to one another.The first region may stretch more in the longitudinal direction than thesecond region, whereas the second region may stretch more in thetransverse direction and the first region contracts in the transversedirection. The differences among the first and second regions are notlimited to the aforementioned, and their elasticity may be differentaccording to their location on the liner or sleeve. The fabric layer mayhave two or more regions with different degrees of stiffness.

The fabric layer is preferably continuously knit and therefore the firstand second regions share various fibers, threads, yarns or filaments,referred collectively as “yarns,” used to form the fabric layer.According to an embodiment, the first and second regions share the sametransverse yarns, and differ in the tightness of the knit of thelongitudinal yarns. The tightness may be formed by different stitchstructures across the first and second regions, such that one region hasa knit structure increasing elasticity whereas another region is formedby a knit structure or combination of knit structures reducingelasticity, all while at least certain yarns are shared among both thefirst and second regions to create the variably tensioned andcontinuously elasticized fabric.

In a first embodiment, a prosthetic device, such as a liner or sleeve,has first and second regions divided by a plane or longitudinal lineextending between first and second ends of the device. The deviceincludes a continuously knit elasticized fabric layer including a firstset of yarns about a circumference of the device through the first andsecond regions. The fabric layer in the first region has a firstelasticity, and the fabric layer in the second region has a secondelasticity greater than the first elasticity in the first region, whichresults in a variable tensioned structure. An elastomeric layer may beformed along an interior surface of the fabric layer.

The device may define an arcuate profile along the longitudinal linewhen the device is in flexion. The first region can have a contractedconformation and the second region preferably has a stretchableconformation when the device is bent. The second region may haveelasticity greater than the first region in the longitudinal direction,and the first region may have greater elasticity than the second regionin the transverse direction.

The elastomeric layer may be a polymeric material continuously definedalong a length and inner periphery of the fabric layer. The elastomericmaterial is distinguishable over a fabric because it is preferably asolid mass of material, such as silicone, that is molded to the shape ofthe device and fabric layer (i.e., tubular and conical forms). Theelastomeric layer can have uniform properties, such as thickness,longitudinal elongation length, and axial elongation across both thefirst and second regions. Alternatively, the elastomeric layer ispreferably tailored to have variable properties corresponding to thefirst and second regions, to better approximate the properties to therespective region.

The fabric layer may have a looser knit along the second region than thefirst region. In a variation, the first and second regions preferablyshare the same yarns extending circumferentially through both the firstand second regions between the first and second ends. The fabric layerpreferably, but not limited, defines an entire outer circumferentialperiphery of the device between first and second end portions, andpreferably is with no seams dividing the first and second regions.

According to a variation, the first region may be formed by a pluralityof knitted loop stitches and the second region may be formed by aplurality of knitted loop stitches and a plurality of tuck stitches. Thesecond region can include a first plurality of rows consisting ofknitted loop stitches alternating with a second plurality of rowsincluding knitted loop stitches and tuck stitches. The second pluralityof rows may define alternating knitted loop stitches and tuck stitches.

The first region preferably has a longitudinal elongation length50%-70%, such as 60%, and the second region may have a longitudinalelongation length greater than the first region of at least 70% to 90%,such as 80%. An axial elongation in the first region may be 125%-175%and an axial elongation in the second region may be at least 175% to225%.

The device may be a closed-ended conical suspension liner with thesecond end closed and the first end open. Alternatively, the device maybe an open-ended sleeve such that the first and second ends are open andthe profile of the sleeve is tubular. The curvature of each of the firstand second regions is asymmetric relative to one another when the deviceis in flexion.

While described in a prosthetic device, the device may be used in otherapplications such as in orthopedic devices wherein a variably tensionedfabric may be used and formed from a continuously stitched knit fabric.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentdisclosure will become better understood regarding the followingdescription, appended claims, and accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a liner embodiment in a non-flexedconfiguration.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the liner embodiment of FIG. 1 in aflexed configuration.

FIG. 3 is a detail view III from FIG. 1 of a distal end portion of theliner.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing different stitching patterns of firstor second regions of the liner of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a first stitching structure for thetextile or fabric layer of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a second stitching structure for thetextile or fabric layer of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 is schematic view of a segment of a sleeve or liner having thestitching structure of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary chart showing different recovery of the textileor fabric layer having the stitching structure of FIG. 5.

The drawing figures are not drawn to scale, but instead are drawn toprovide a better understanding of the components, and are not intendedto be limiting in scope, but to provide exemplary illustrations. Thefigures illustrate exemplary embodiments of a prosthetic device, and inno way limit the structures or configurations of a prosthetic deviceaccording to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

A better understanding of different embodiments of the disclosure may behad from the following description read with the accompanying drawingsin which like reference characters refer to like elements.

While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications andalternative constructions, certain illustrative embodiments are in thedrawings and described below. It should be understood, however, there isno intention to limit the disclosure to the embodiments disclosed, buton the contrary, that the intention covers all modifications,alternative constructions, combinations, and equivalents falling withinthe spirit and scope of the disclosure.

It will be understood that, unless a term is defined in this disclosureto possess a described meaning, there is no intent to limit the meaningof such term, either expressly or indirectly, beyond its plain orordinary meaning.

A liner in suspension liners adapted to provide a soft, flexibleinterface between a residual limb of an amputee and a hard socket towhich a prosthetic device is secured and is known in the art asexemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 4,923,474, incorporated by reference.

Such suspension liners are typically made of an air impermeableelastomer material such as silicone and may include a reinforcementlayer intermediate to the inner and outer surfaces of the suspensionliner body portion or externally to provide resistance against axialelongation of the elastomer constituting the suspension liner body. Thereinforcement rarely restricts radial distension or stretching of thesuspension liner body. A textile cover may form the outer periphery ofthe liner and secures to the elastomer layer. Other examples of linersare found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,136,039, 6,485,776, 6,706,364, 6,964,688,7,169,189, 7,118,602 and 8,034,120, incorporated by reference.

Orthopedic or prosthetic sleeves are described in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,908,037, 5,830,237 and 6,592,539, incorporated by reference. Suchsleeves may be fabricated from elastic or elasticized materials and maysupport and reinforce muscles, joints and extremities of those in needof assistance and provide an airtight seal between a residual limb of anamputee and a hard socket worn by the amputee.

While various numbered regions, ends and other identified features andcomponents are described, it will be understood the numbering isrelative to the discussion on the regions, ends, identified features andcomponents. Using numbering is not intended to refer to the sameidentification from embodiment to embodiment, and variations thereof.

As shown in FIG. 1, the prosthetic device 10 is a suspension liner andis divided longitudinally along a plane 15, such as an anteroposteriorplane intersecting the length of the prosthetic liner into correspondingposterior and anterior sides of the liner. For simplicity, alongitudinal line 19 is defined at any location along the plane 15 todifferentiate between first and second regions 12, 14 of the liner 10.The liner defines an axis A-A for defining proximal and distal ends orfirst and second ends of the liner. The liner 10 has a first end 34 anda second end 36, and may be conical in shape. In this embodiment, thefirst end 34 is open and the second end 36 is closed.

The liner 10 includes a continuous, elasticized fabric layer 32 forminga tubular shape, and extending circumferentially and along the length ofthe liner with no seams or additional layers. As discussed below, thefabric layer 32 is defined as being a continuously knit elasticizedfabric layer because the fabric layer includes a first set of yarns 28about a circumference of the device 10 extending through the first andsecond regions 12, 14. An elastomeric layer 30 is secured to an interiorsurface of the fabric layer 32.

The elastomeric layer may be continuously defined along a length andinner periphery of the fabric layer. The elastomeric layer can haveuniform properties, such as the same thickness from longitudinal ends ofthe device, and longitudinal elongation length and axial elongationacross both the first and second regions. Alternatively, the elastomericlayer is preferably tailored to have variable properties correspondingto the first and second regions, to better approximate the properties tothe respective region.

The elastomeric material is distinguishable over a fabric because it ispreferably a solid mass of material, such as silicone, that is molded tothe shape of the device and fabric layer (i.e., tubular and conicalforms). The elastomeric material may comprise a plurality of layers ofpolymeric material, and is distinguishable from a fabric layer. Examplesof the elastomeric material are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,136,039,6,485,776, 6,706,364, 6,964,688, 7,169,189, 7,118,602 and 8,034,120.

The first region 12 exhibits elastic stiffness greater than the elasticstiffness of the second region 14, and forms a variable tensionedstructure. In this embodiment there is a preferably single fabric layer,although the liner may be arranged with multiple fabric layers to tailorstiffness. Because there is a single fabric layer, the differentstiffness or the fabric layer itself achieves elasticity of the firstand second regions because the knit of the fabric layer varies acrossthe first and second regions; there is no need to add various fabriclayers by stitching to one another or layered over one another as in theprior art. The single fabric layer allows for a simple construction anddesign tailored to conform to the anatomy of a wearer and accommodatejoint movement, while providing ease and relatively low cost formanufacture.

The fabric layer may have two or more regions with different degrees ofstiffness. The regions are not limited to being divided along ananteroposterior plane, but may be divided into transverse sections,circular sections, or any other suitable sections to provide thevariable elasticity required for the indication.

FIG. 1 exemplifies the liner 10 in an unflexed configuration whereasthere is symmetry among the circumference of the first and secondregions, corresponding to posterior and anterior portions of a leg, asseparated by the line 19.

Referring to FIG. 2, the liner 10 is shown in a flexed configurationwhereas the stiffness of the first region 12 stretches in the transversedirection while contracting in the longitudinal direction C to minimizeany bunching or gathering of the liner behind the leg or knee. Thesecond region stretches in the longitudinal direction D whilecontracting in the transverse direction B resulting in the liner forminga “banana” shape more closely mimicking a leg of a user.

The flexure of the first and second regions 12, 14 is asymmetric, withgreater flexure in opposing directions (longitudinal and transversedirection) according to the region. The flexure of the second regionstretches and bends to accommodate the posterior side of the leg, suchas a knee, and expands to conform to the skin on the anterior side ofthe leg.

The contraction of the first region accommodates a reduction in thevertical dimension on the anterior side of the leg. The contraction ofthe first region corresponds to the “popliteal fossa” of the knee or theregion on the posterior side of the knee including the bend.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the first and second regions 12, 14, whilebeing part of constructing a single fabric layer, but having differentknit patterns. The first region 12 has a knit pattern of tighter knityarns 16 arranged obliquely or transversely to the dividing line A-A.The second region 14 may have a region of looser knit yarns 18, that mayeither be knit looser than in the first region 12, or may include adifferent knit 18 favoring greater elasticity in the longitudinaldirection.

The liner 10 in FIG. 3 may have a reinforced distal end 20 closing thetubular shape of the liner 10, and a connection 22 may extend from thedistal end and carry various connection elements known in the art ofsuspension liners. The first and second regions 34, 36 may extend to thedistal end and come radially closer to one another as a whole, whereasthe first and second regions 34, 36 expand radially away from oneanother as they approach the proximal, open end 36. Such connection mayinclude a threaded portion or a pin for engaging a prosthetic lock forsecuring to other components. Alternatively, the liner may define aclosed end portion with a continuous distal end area formed by thefabric layer, as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 8,123,818, incorporated byreference.

Embodiments of the sleeve may closely resemble those of theaforementioned suspension liner, however, the sleeve has open ends andmay have a different inner layer formed or along the inner surface ofthe fabric layer.

FIG. 4 schematically shows how the yarns 26 in the longitudinaldirection of the first region 12 may be more tightly knit than the yarns28 in the second region 14. Of note, the first and second regions 12, 14share the same transverse or circumferential yarns 24 permitting unitaryand continuously knit construction of the fabric layer with regionshaving different stiffness.

Variations of the liner or sleeve may include a plurality of regionshaving different stiffness. These regions may cause the same transverseflexion about the circumference yet are distinguished in various degreesin stiffness in various longitudinal directions.

Alternatively, the transverse flexure or stiffness may vary about thecircumference. The regions may be formed in localized areas only asegment short of the entire length of the liner about the anterior sidecorresponding to the knee. In this arrangement, the fabric layer hasless stiffness at a knee region on the anterior side of the knee, yetportions above and below the knee region have greater stiffness ineither the longitudinal and/or transverse directions. The posteriorregion of the liner may have different stiffness in the longitudinaland/or transverse directions. Even though there are regions of differentstiffness, the fabric layer is continuously knit without interruptionsor additional layers added upon one and the other or greater thicknessesat various portions to obtain enhanced stiffness or variable stiffnessproperties.

In use, the prosthetic device, either as a liner or sleeve, describedmay be donned over a limb by a well-known unrolling technique from arolled up configuration to reinforce muscles and joints along desireddirections of support. The liner or sleeve may be used in a knee orelbow area of a limb to provide stiffer support transversely of the kneeor elbow joint in a central area while providing a softer, more elasticsupport in these central areas in a longitudinal direction. Likewise,end sections may provide a stiffer elastic support for the joint andlimb area along the axial direction of the sleeves as compared with thetransverse direction. The sleeves may be sized somewhat smaller in arelaxed state than a limb area on which the sleeve is installed, andseveral size sleeves can be made to accommodate a wide range of limbsizes.

Using a layer of an elastomer material, such as silicone, on theinterior surface of the fabric layer enables the liner or sleeve to fitsnugly against the skin of the user in a very comfortable manner due tothe ability of the elastomer material to absorb and react to sheer loadsbetween the skin and the fabric layer. The elastomer material, when indirect, airtight contact with the skin of the user holds back moisturein the skin of the user, preventing perspiration or moisture frompassing into the region between the skin of the user and the sleeve. Thefabric layer may be tailored to provide areas of enhanced stiffness orelasticity to cooperate with the elastomer material to augment theairtight contact.

When the sleeve is used in a prosthetic application to form a sealbetween the residual limb of a user and the proximal end of a prostheticsocket, the elastomer material provides an airtight seal between theskin and the prosthetic socket while the elasticized fabric layer havingvarious regions of different elasticity provides a comfortable interfacebetween the residual limb and the socket. Again, the sleeve will beunrolled from a rolled up condition for donning on a residual limb andwill be sized somewhat smaller than a residual limb and a prostheticsocket to ensure an airtight fit between the residual limb, the sleeveand the socket.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show different stitching structures 100, 200 to obtaindifferent elasticity among the first and second regions 112, 114 in aliner 10, as in the embodiment of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 illustrates a firststitching structure 100 having a “1× knit+1× tuck,” such that there isan alternating pattern of one knit and one tuck along columns 10, 12,14, 16, 18, 20 in the first region 112. Every other row of feedershaving a knit in the columns is continuously knit including feeder rows2, 4, 6. The second region 114 has a consistently knit structure acrosseach column and feeder row located therein, and shares the same knitpattern with the first region 112 along rows 2, 4, 6.

FIG. 6 describes a second stitching structure 200 having a “1× knit+2tuck” structure, such that there is an alternating pattern of one knitand two tucks along columns 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 across the firstregion 212. The alternating tucks are in feeder rows 1 and 2, and 4 and5, whereas feeder rows 3 and 6 consistently comprise the knit pattern.Like the first structure 100, the second region 214 has a consistentlyknit structure across each column and feeder row located therein, andthe first region 212 shares the same knit pattern across feeder rows 3and 6 to form the continuously knit structure.

In comparing the first stitching structure 100 of FIG. 5 with the secondstitching structure 200 of FIG. 6, it is found that the second stitchingstructure 200 has less elongation in the first region 212 than the firstregion 112 in the first stitching structure 100 yielding a greaterelongation difference between the first and second regions 212, 214.

The textile or fabric layer formed from the stitching structure mayemploy solely one of the first and second stitching structures, oralternatively may be formed with both of the stitching structures. Theliner may include a portion with the first stitching structure at theproximal end and the second stitching structure at the distal end, andthese stitching structures may be blended or joined continuously withone another by modification of different configurations of the feederrows.

The textile or fabric layer is not limited to the first and secondstitching structures, but may include many stitching structures toobtain a fabric having different regions of elasticity formed in acontinuously formed textile.

In the stitching structures of FIGS. 5 and 6, the material compositionof the fibers or yarns preferably includes 85% Supplex (nylon) and 15%Elastane (polyurethane), and may be colored across the different regionsof the stitching structures. While Supplex may have some elasticity,Elastane provides superior elasticity and resiliency to the textile.

Different colored yarns may be used in the different regions in thestitching structures, such as the first region having a gray color, andthe second region having a brown color. Other materials for the yarnsmay be used and the embodiments are not limited to the aforementionedmaterials, and may include yarns formed from polyester, polyamide,polypropylene, wool, cotton or vicose or a combination. The yarns shouldrender a stitched structure in a manner to permit axial elongation in aportion of the textile formed by the stitching structure in a continuoustubular textile.

Referring to FIG. 5, the stitching structure may have exemplary coursesper 10 cm of yarns. The first region 112 may be 90-110, whereas theexemplary courses per 10 cm of yarns in the second region 114 may be165-195. These may be modified depending on the desired elasticityacross the first and second regions. With these courses of yarns, thelongitudinal elongation length 116 in the first region 112 may be 60%,and the longitudinal elongation length 118 in the second region 114 maybe 80%, each because of the stitching structure. The axial elongation120 in the first region 112 may be 150% and the axial elongation 122 inthe second region 114 may be 200%, whereas the axial elongation 124across the first and second regions 112, 114 is within the range of150-200%.

FIG. 7 shows a side view of an exemplary liner 110 in a relaxed statehaving the first stitching structure of FIG. 5. The liner 110 is formedfrom a textile having the first stitching structure or the secondstitching structure, as adapted in the discussion above, has a firstwidth 126 across a half of the tubular liner of preferably 50-60 mm inthe first region 112, and a second width 128 across a half of thetubular liner of preferably 50-60 mm in the second region 114.

FIG. 7 exemplifies how the curvature 134 is obtained over a length 130of a segment of the liner due to the different elasticity over generallya same width of the first and second regions. Taken from a baseline ofend portions of the segment, the curvature 134 extends a distance 140into the liner. In the example given, the segment is about 500 mm andthe distance is about 67 mm. If the liner 110 were constructed from asingle region, the distance would be 0 with no curvature 134.

Recovery of the mechanical properties of the textile is important forrepeated use by the user. Recovery of the textile includes thicknessrecovery for the textile to provide cushioning, and axial andlongitudinal recovery after repeated expansion and reduction of thecircumference of the tubular liner.

FIG. 8 depicts the first and second regions as the percentage of strainover the cyclic force as an example of the recovery of mechanicalproperties. As shown, the strain of the first region is significantlyless than the strain of the second region over the same force. Despitethe difference in strain, both the first and second regions exhibit thesame elongation over load curves such that the maximum strain isobtained at the highest force, and generally relaxes to at or near zeropercent elongation such that the fabric as a whole generally recovers toan initial state. The second region, in part due to its increasedelasticity, undergoes recovery slightly less than the first region.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A prosthetic device having first and secondregions generally arranged from first and second ends of the device anddivided by a longitudinal line forming an anterior-posterior planeextending between the first and second ends, the device comprising: acontinuously knit elasticized fabric layer having a tubular shape and anelastomeric layer secured to an interior surface of the fabric layer;wherein the continuously knit elasticized fabric layer comprises aplurality of circumferential first rows alternating with a plurality ofcircumferential second rows, the circumferential first and second rowscomprising a first section corresponding to the first region and asecond section corresponding to the second region, the first section ofthe circumferential first rows comprising only knitted loop stitches,the second section of the circumferential first rows comprising arepeating pattern of one knitted loop stitch and one tuck stitch, thecircumferential second rows comprising only knitted loop stitches inboth the first and second sections of the circumferential second rows;wherein the first and second sections of the circumferential first andsecond rows are divided by the longitudinal line; wherein the pluralityof circumferential first rows are arranged such that in the secondsection the tuck stitches of the alternating pattern of eachcircumferential first row are longitudinally aligned with the tuckstitches of the plurality of circumferential first rows so as to form aplurality of longitudinal columns of longitudinally aligned tuckstitches, the plurality of longitudinal columns extending from the firstend to the second end and parallel with the longitudinal line, theplurality of longitudinal columns of longitudinally aligned tuckstitches alternating with longitudinal columns comprising onlylongitudinally aligned knitted loop stitches and extending from thefirst end to the second end.
 2. The prosthetic device of claim 1,wherein the plurality of longitudinal columns of longitudinally alignedtuck stitches are arranged to reduce the first elasticity relative tothe second elasticity such that the first region contracts relative tothe second region and causes the prosthetic device to form an arcuateprofile in a relaxed and unstretched state.
 3. The prosthetic device ofclaim 1, wherein an entire surface of the second region has greaterelasticity than the first region in the longitudinal direction, suchthat the device defines an arcuate profile in a relaxed and unstretchedstate along the longitudinal line according to differences in elasticityamong the first and second regions in the longitudinal direction whereinboth the first and second regions are elastic in the longitudinaldirection.
 4. The prosthetic device of claim 1, the second region hasgreater elasticity than the first region in a circumferential direction,wherein the first region is elastic in the circumferential direction. 5.The prosthetic device of claim 1, wherein the prosthetic device is aclosed-ended conical liner with the second end closed and the first endopen, an arcuate profile of the first and second regions is configuredto be asymmetric relative to one another.
 6. The prosthetic device ofclaim 1, wherein the fabric layer defines an entire outercircumferential periphery of the device between first and second ends.7. The prosthetic device of claim 1, wherein the first and secondregions have generally the same width between the first and second endsas divided by the longitudinal line.
 8. The device of claim 1, whereinthe elastomeric layer is continuously defined along a length and innerperiphery of the fabric layer.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein thefabric layer has a looser knit along the second region than the firstregion, the first and second regions sharing the same yarns extendingcircumferentially through both the first and second regions.
 10. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the first region has a longitudinal percentelongation in the range of 50%-70%, and the second region has alongitudinal percent elongation greater than the first region.
 11. Thedevice of claim 10, wherein the second region has a longitudinal percentelongation of 70% to 90%.
 12. A suspension liner having first and secondregions generally arranged from first and second ends of the device anddivided by a longitudinal line forming an anterior-posterior planeextending between the first and second ends, the liner comprising: acontinuously knit elasticized fabric layer having a tubular shapedividing the first and second regions, including a first set of yarnslocated about a circumference of the liner through the first and secondregions, the fabric layer in the first region having a first elasticity,and the fabric layer in the second region having a second elasticitygreater than the elasticity in the first region, the fabric layerextending over an entirety of an outer surface of the prosthetic device;an elastomeric layer secured to an interior surface of the fabric layerand defines an entirety of an inner surface of the prosthetic device;wherein the liner is arranged to bend along the longitudinal line, withthe liner having greater curvature along the second region compared to acurvature of the first region, such that the liner defines an arcuateprofile along the longitudinal line according to differences inelasticity among the first and second regions in the longitudinaldirection in a relaxed and unstretched state; wherein the continuouslyknit elasticized fabric layer comprises a plurality of circumferentialfirst rows alternating with a plurality of circumferential second rows,the circumferential first and second rows comprising a first sectioncorresponding to the first region and a second section corresponding tothe second region, the first section of the circumferential first rowscomprising only knitted loop stitches, the second section of thecircumferential first rows comprising a repeating pattern of one knittedloop stitch and one tuck stitch, the circumferential second rowscomprising only knitted loop stitches in both the first and secondsections of the circumferential second rows; wherein the first andsecond sections of the circumferential first and second rows are dividedby the longitudinal line; wherein the plurality of circumferential firstrows are arranged such that in the second section the tuck stitches ofthe alternating pattern of each circumferential first row arelongitudinally aligned with the tuck stitches of the plurality ofcircumferential first rows so as to form a plurality of longitudinalcolumns of longitudinally aligned tuck stitches, the plurality oflongitudinal columns extending from the first end to the second end andparallel with the longitudinal line, the plurality of longitudinalcolumns of longitudinally aligned tuck stitches alternating withlongitudinal columns comprising only longitudinally aligned knitted loopstitches and extending from the first end to the second end.
 13. Theprosthetic device of claim 12, wherein the plurality of longitudinalcolumns of longitudinally aligned tuck stitches are arranged to reducethe first elasticity relative to the second elasticity such that thefirst region contracts relative to the second region and causes theprosthetic device to form the arcuate profile in the relaxed state andunstretched state.
 14. A prosthetic device having first and secondregions generally arranged from first and second ends of the device anddivided by a longitudinal line forming an anterior-posterior planeextending between the first and second ends, the device comprising: acontinuously knit elasticized fabric layer having a tubular shapedividing the first and second regions, including a first set of yarnslocated about a circumference of the device through the first and secondregions, the fabric layer in the first region having a first elasticity,and the fabric layer in the second region having a second elasticitygreater than the elasticity in the first region, the fabric layerdefining an entire outer circumferential periphery of the device betweenfirst and second ends; an elastomeric layer secured to and defining anentirety of an interior surface of the fabric layer; wherein the firstregion has a longitudinal elongation length in the range of 50%-70%, andthe second region has a longitudinal elongation length greater than thefirst region; wherein a radial elongation in a circumferential directionrelative to an axis of the tubular shape of the device in the firstregion is in the range of 125%-175%, and a radial elongation in acircumferential direction relative to the axis in the second region isin the range of 175% to 225%; wherein the first and second regions havegenerally the same width between the first and second ends as divided bythe longitudinal line; wherein the continuously knit elasticized fabriclayer comprises a plurality of circumferential first rows alternatingwith a plurality of circumferential second rows, the circumferentialfirst and second rows each comprising a first section corresponding tothe first region and a second section corresponding to the secondregion, the first section of the circumferential first rows comprisingonly knitted loop stitches, the second section of the circumferentialfirst rows comprising a repeating pattern of one knitted loop stitch andone tuck stitch, the circumferential second rows comprising only knittedloop stitches in both the first and second sections of thecircumferential second rows; wherein the plurality of circumferentialfirst rows are arranged such that in the second section the tuckstitches of the repeating pattern of each circumferential first row arelongitudinally aligned with the tuck stitches of the plurality ofcircumferential first rows so as to form a plurality of longitudinalcolumns of longitudinally aligned tuck stitches, the plurality oflongitudinal columns extending from the first end to the second end andparallel with the longitudinal line, the plurality of longitudinalcolumns of longitudinally aligned tuck stitches alternating withlongitudinal columns comprising only longitudinally aligned knitted loopstitches and extending from the first end to the second end; and whereinthe plurality of longitudinal columns of longitudinally aligned tuckstitches are arranged to reduce the first elasticity relative to thesecond elasticity such that the first region contracts relative to thesecond region and causes the prosthetic device to form the arcuateprofile in the relaxed state and unstretched state.